Weird periods (sorry if TMI)

[NameChageMensesMadam]

Hi. I’ve not posted in this section of the forum before (I’m usually an AIBU/Chat regular) & have name-changed for this as I’m embarrassed…

For the last few months my periods have been like black water, with an unpleasant odour like rotting meat. For context: I’m 42, have the Mirena coil in situ which I assume is probably masking whether I’m in peri menopause or not. I’m sweating profusely through the night (soaking bedsheets etc).

I don’t know whether these weird periods are due to me being peri, or due to the coil, or something else (I read on websites there could be an ‘obstruction’ in the vagina, although my partner hasn’t noticed anything different during sex).

I don’t really want to take up a GP appt just about my period consistency, so I’m wondering if this sounds fairly normal or not. Thanks for any help or advice.

I would definitely go to the GP. That doesn't sound normal and you aren't losing anything by going to the GP. Please go and get it checked out.

Thanks @BritishDesiGirl . You’re probably right.
I just try to avoid troubling the doc because I have to have lots of contact with health servs due to another unrelated long term condition. So I feel like I’m always a drain and try to fly under the radar the rest of the time.

Can I ask you without being rude if you’ve ever had anything similar maybe? I’m wanting to know if this is a fairly common standard thing maybe?

Not to scare you but this can be a cancer symptom, get to the gp asap xxx

@hellosunshineagainxxx can it?? I’ve looked online (I know I shouldn’t) but was confused by what things are/aren’t cancer symptoms. Can I ask you which bit might be the cancer concern (the colour / odour / clots etc)? Thanks so much for posting, I really appreciate any and all advice.

No never had anything similar. I'm 35. So not in the peri stage yet.

@NameChageMensesMadam do you feel poorly/fevery at all? I’m not medical but a bad smell sounds like maybe an infection, might need a dose of antibiotics. I’d see the GP.

My periods went weird in peri and sometimes odd and watery, but mine was due to bad anaemia I think and I didn’t have any smell. It’s worth getting checked out.